Shoulder radiographs and cautionary tales

Title
Shoulder radiographs and cautionary tales
Publication Date
2004
Author(s)
Fraser, John
Type of document
Journal Article
Language
en
Entity Type
Publication
Publisher
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP)
Place of publication
Australia
UNE publication id
une:3797
Abstract
Dear Editor, I read with interest recent research into the management of shoulder dysfunction that showed increases use of ultrasound by general practitioners in investigating shoulder pain, in preference to an initial radiograph. The authors cite a paper suggesting radiographs have little diagnostic value in some presentations of shoulder pain. The study involved emergency departments rather than general practices, which may limit it's generalisability. Also, the limited utility of radiographs in this paper extended to a subgroup of patients who had not fallen, had no swelling, and has experienced rest pain. Murtagh describes the shoulder as 'notorious for diagnostic traps'. Reliance on imaging should not replace a thorough history and examination.
Link
Citation
Australian Family Physician, v.33 (12), p. 967
ISSN
0300-8495
Start page
967

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